I just love how this film is so unique in it's structure and how it defies all real classification. Just when I thought I had it pinned as one thing, I'd think of another thing to add onto that looooong subject of this post.
so...who else agrees with me? haha.
One thousand years from now, there'll be no guys and no girls, just wankers. Sounds great to me.
Try Crumb, by Terry Zwigoff, it is also similarly good (about Harvey's celebrated artist friend, Bob Crumb).
http://imdb.com/title/tt0109508/
I wouldn't say it defies classification. It plays like a drama more than anything to me. The way it cuts in with the real people is really neat and pretty innovative, and I really like the movie and thinks it's a pretty special contribution. Wouldn't go so far to say that it's a completely original work, but that doesn't really take away from its quality.
shareWell it's not completely original, but only because of the fact that it is based on the comics. Otherwise it's very much in its own medium. That could hurt a movie, but it never becomes a novelty, which is why it's really impressive.
shareOn Latin American HBO, the digital cable info box classified the film as "Tragi-Comedy", and to me, that seems to sum up the film perfectly.
Amsterdam is like Six Flags for the soul.......
Agree completely. The interspersing of the real Harvey as the narrator and in other scenes(the Letterman appearances), as well as Toby, Banks, Pekar's wife, and other characters is a technique I've never seen used quite like it was here. Particulary compelling was the scene where the real Harvey and the real Toby are having a conversation and the actors playing them are sitting in the background taking a break. Giamatti is great - from his raspy Cleveland accent to his neurotic but endearing personality. As are all of the actors. A GREAT movie.
shareThe way the real people are intertwined with actors, real footage intertwined with reenactments and movie intertwined with comic book biz...
It's all very creative.
I like it.
Giamatti is great - from his raspy Cleveland accent
"Ghost World." Great double feature with "American Splendor." If you can watch either or both of these movies and not LOVE the people you meet there, I don't want to know you. Both are 10/10.
shareYour linking this to "Ghost World" is very good. Another possible connection would be "Welcome to the Dollhouse", perhaps?
share[deleted]